Treatment of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With Anti-proliferate and Anti-inflammatory Drugs

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis, including cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia. The method involves administration, preferably oral, nasal or pulmonary administration, of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/860,084, filed on Nov. 20, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/880,742, filed Jan. 17, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/897,427, filed on Jan. 25, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/903,529 filed on Feb. 26, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/926,850 filed Apr. 30, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/904,473 filed Mar. 2, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/981,380 filed Oct. 19, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/981,384 filed Oct. 19, 2007, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia. The method involves administration, preferably oral, nasal or pulmonary administration, of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term used to classify two major airflow obstruction disorders: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Approximately 16 million Americans have COPD, 80-90% of them were smokers throughout much of their lives. COPD is a leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 122,283 deaths in 2003. The cost to the USA for COPD was approximately $20.9 billion in direct health care expenditures in 2003. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial airways. The bronchial airways connect the trachea with the lungs. When inflamed, the bronchial tubes secrete mucus, causing a chronic cough. Emphysema is an overinflation of the alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs. This condition causes shortness of breath.

In emphysema, the alveolar sacs are overinflated as a result of damage to the elastin skeleton of the lung. Inflammatory cells in emphysematous lung release elastase enzymes, which degrade or damage elastin fibers within the lung matrix. Emphysema has a number of causes, including smoking, exposure to environmental pollutants, alpha-one antitrypsin deficiency, and aging.

There are no therapies available today to halt the progression of COPD. Inhaled steroids have recently been studied (Lung Health Study II) as a potential therapy to prevent loss of lung function in emphysema patients. The study concluded, however, that inhaled steroids failed to alter the decline in lung function over time. As patients lose lung function over time, they may become dependent on oxygen, and eventually end up on ventilators to assist with respiration. A relatively new treatment for patients with emphysema is lung volume reduction surgery. Emphysema patients suffer from air trapping in the lungs. This flattens the diaphragm, impairing the ability to inhale and exhale. Patients with emphysema localized to the upper lung lobes are candidates for lung volume reduction surgery, where the upper lobes are surgically removed to restore the natural concavity and function of the diaphragm.

Acute exacerbation of asthma are often caused by spasm of the airways, or bronchoconstriction, causing symptoms including sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough. Bronchospasm is treated with inhaled bronchodilators (anticholinergics such as ipratropium and beta-agonists such as albuterol). Patients inhale these medications into their lungs as a mist, produced by either a nebulizer or a hand-held meter dose (MDI) or dry powder (DPI) inhaler. Patients with acute episodes may also be treated with oral or intravenous steroids that serve to reduce the inflammatory response that exacerbates the condition.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the airways, excess mucus production and airway hyperresponsiveness, and a condition in which airways narrow excessively or too easily respond to a stimulus. Asthma episodes or attacks cause narrowing of the airways, which make breathing difficult. Asthma attacks can have a significant impact on a patient's life, limiting participation in many activities. In severe cases, asthma attacks can be life threatening. Presently, there is no know cure for asthma.

According to the American Lung Association, there are approximately 20 million Americans with asthma in 2002. Fourteen million of them were adults. Asthma resulted in approximately 1.9 million emergency room visits in 2002. The estimated direct cost of asthma in the U.S. is $11.5 billions, which is spent on asthma medications, physician office visits, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

The causes of coronary heart disease and asthma are neointimal proliferation of smooth muscle in arterial vessels and in walls of airways. One aspect of the invention is to deliver paclitaxel or rapamycin and their analogues to the wall of airways to treat the asthma and COPD. Drug coated stents with these drugs have been approved for inhibiting the growth of the smooth muscle cells in vascular arterial vessels.

Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the membrane lining of one or more paranasal sinuses. Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than three weeks and often continues for months. In cases of chronic sinusitis, there is usually tissue damage. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), thirty seven million cases of chronic sinusitis are reported annually.

Chronic sinusitis is often difficult to treat successfully, however, as some symptoms persist even after prolonged courses of antibiotics. Steroid nasal sprays and prescribed steroids are commonly used to treat inflammation in chronic sinusitis. When medical treatment fails, surgery may be the only alternative in treating chronic sinusitis. Presently, the most common surgery done is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, in which the diseased and thickened tissues from the sinuses are removed to allow drainage. However, there is a need for better medicine for chronic sinusitis.

The present invention provides a new method for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis. The method involves administration, preferably oral, nasal or pulmonary administration, of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues). Embodiments of the present invention provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a drug for treatment of the respiratory system, and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of body passages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the treatment of respiratory disorders by intratracheal administration of an effective amount of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues). Respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis include cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, nasal and sinus dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia. The treatment is intended for a variety of animals, such as premature neonates to adult humans. Administration of rapamycin or paclitaxel may be performed by aerosol, which can be generated by a nebulizer, by inhalation or by instillation. The rapamycin or paclitaxel may be administered alone or with an additive carrier in solution such as saline solution, DMSO, alcohol, or water. It may also be used as combinations with inhaled bronchodilators (anticholinergics such as ipratropium and beta-agonists such as albuterol) and oral or intravenous steroids. Patients inhale these medications into their lungs as a mist, produced by either a nebulizer or a hand-held meter dose (MDI) or dry powder (DPI) inhaler.

The additive has a lipophilic or hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part. The hydrophobic part may include aliphatic and aromatic organic hydrocarbon compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and alkanes, among others. These parts are not water soluble. They have no covalently bonded iodine. The hydrophilic part may include hydroxyl groups, amine groups, amide groups, carbonyl groups, carboxylic acid and anhydrides, ethyl oxide, ethyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, ascorbic acid, amino acid, amino alcohol, glucose, sucrose, sorbitan, glycerol, polyalcohol, phosphates, sulfates, organic salts and their substituted molecules, among others. These parts can dissolve in water and polar solvents. These additives are not oils, lipids, or polymers. The therapeutic agent is not enclosed in micelles or liposomes or encapsulated in polymer particles.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is provided. The coronary and peripheral diseases result from smooth muscle cell proliferation. Asthma includes episodes or attacks of the airway narrowing, contracting and thickening via smooth muscle cell proliferation. The rapamycin, paclitaxel, and their analogues can be used for treating asthma in the lung.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of treating respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic sinusitis in a mammal comprises administrating an antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effective amount of rapamycin, or paclitaxel or their analogues to said mammal orally, parenterally, intravascularly, intranasally, intrabronchially, transdermally, rectally, or via an impregnated vascular stent or balloon catheter.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for treating at least one of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis in a mammal comprising administering a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a drug and an additive to said mammal orally, parenterally, intravascularly, intranasally, intrabronchially, transdermally, rectally, or via an impregnated vascular stent or balloon catheter into a body passage, wherein said drug is chosen from rapamycin and analogues thereof and paclitaxel and analogues thereof. In one aspect of this embodiment, the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to be treated is selected from the group consisting of chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, nasal and sinus dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia, and emphysema. In another aspect of this embodiment, the administering comprises delivery via a mist route selected from the group consisting of aerosol inhalation, dry powder inhalation, liquid inhalation, and liquid instillation. In one embodiment, the mist is produced by either a nebulizer, a hand-held meter dose inhaler (MDI), or dry powder (DPI) inhaler.

In one embodiment of the method, the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the body passage of the respiratory and sinus system. In another embodiment of the method, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.

In one embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG fatty esters and alcohols, glycerol fatty esters, sorbitan fatty esters, PEG glyceryl fatty esters, PEG sorbitan fatty esters, sugar fatty esters, PEG sugar esters, vitamins and derivatives, aminoacids, multiaminoacids and derivatives, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, quaternary ammonium salts, organic acids, salts and anhydrides. In another embodiment, the additive is chosen from p-isononylphenoxypolyglycidol, PEG laurate, PEG oleate, PEG stearate, PEG glyceryl laurate, PEG glyceryl oleate, PEG glyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, plyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, PEG sorbitan monolaurate, PEG sorbitan monolaurate, PEG sorbitan monooleate, PEG sorbitan stearate, PEG oleyl ether, PEG laurayl ether, octoxynol, monoxynol, tyloxapol; cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine (Aminoacids); acetic anhydride, benzoic anhydride, ascorbic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic and anhydride, succinic anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid (organic acids and anhydrides); cetotiamine; cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U (vitamins); albumin, immunoglobulins, caseins, hemoglobins, lysozymes, immunoglobins, a-2-macroglobulin, fibronectins, vitronectins, firbinogens, lipases, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, docecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium docecylsulfates, dialkyl methylbenzyl ammonium chloride, and dialkylesters of sodium sulfonsuccinic acid.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is a surfactant. In one aspect of this embodiment, the surfactant is an ionic surfactant. In another aspect of this embodiment, the ionic surfactant is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, docecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium docecylsulfates, dialkyl methylbenzyl ammonium chloride, edrophonium chloride, domiphen bromide, dialkylesters of sodium sulfonsuccinic acid, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium cholate, and sodium taurocholate.

In one embodiment of the method, he additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterols and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from esters of lauric acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 oleate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-9 oleate, PEG-10 laurate, PEG-10 oleate, PEG-12 laurate, PEG-12 oleate, PEG-15 oleate, PEG-20 laurate, and PEG-20 oleate. In another embodiment, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 dilaurate, PEG-20 dioleate, PEG-20 distearate, PEG-32 dilaurate and PEG-32 dioleate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 glyceryl laurate, PEG-30 glyceryl laurate, PEG-40 glyceryl laurate, PEG-20 glyceryl oleate, and PEG-30 glyceryl oleate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG-35 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-25 trioleate, PEG-60 corn glycerides, PEG-60 almond oil, PEG-40 palm kernel oil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides, and PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-9 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 corn oil, PEG-6 almond oil, PEG-6 apricot kernel oil, PEG-6 olive oil, PEG-6 peanut oil, PEG-6 hydrogenated palm kernel oil, PEG-6 palm kernel oil, PEG-6 triolein, PEG-8 corn oil, PEG-20 corn glycerides, and PEG-20 almond glycerides.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from polyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl-2 dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 trioleate, polyglyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, and polyglyceryl linoleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 mono, dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 linoleate, polyglyceryl-6 stearate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 myristate, polyglyceryl-6 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-6 linoleate, and polyglyceryl polyricinoleate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol ricinoleate, propylene glycol monooleate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, and propylene glycol dioctanoate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is PEG-24 cholesterol ether. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from sterol polyethylene glycol derivatives.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate, PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate, and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG-3 oleyl ether and PEG-4 lauryl ether. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monolaurate, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-decyl-β-D-maltopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-heptyl-β-D-glucop-yranoside, n-heptyl-β-D-thioglucoside, n-hexylβ-D-glucopyranoside, nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-noyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and octyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from PEG-10-100 nonyl phenol, PEG-15-100 octyl phenol ether, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, and nonoxynol. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from poloxamer 108, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 217, poloxamer 238, poloxamer 288, poloxamer 338, and poloxamer 407. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from poloxamer 124, poloxamer 182, poloxamer 183, poloxamer 212, poloxamer 331, and poloxamer 335. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan monostearate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, ergosterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecal-ciferol, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, vitamin A, fursultiamine, methyloiriboflavin, octotiamine, prosultiamine, riboflavine, vintiamol, dihydrovitamin K1, menadiol diacetate, menadiol dibutyrate, menadiol disulfate, menadiol, vitamin K1, vitamin K1 oxide, vitamins K2, and vitamin K—S(II), and folic acid.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid, cetotiamine, cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from alanine, arginine, asparagines, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, and salts of any of the foregoing. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is albumin. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octoxynol-9, Polysorbates, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic anhydride, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from riboflavin, riboflavin-phosphate sodium, Vitamin D3, folic acid, vitamin 12, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine.

In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-10 stearate. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic acids, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. In another embodiment of the method, the additive is chosen from Vitamin D2 and D3.

In another embodiment of the method, the pharmaceutical formulation comprising a drug and an additive further comprises an additional drug. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additional drug is selected from the group consisting of corticosteroids, anticholinergics, beta-agonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, macrolide antibiotics, bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor inhibitors, cromolyn sulfate, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a drug for treatment of a respiratory or sinus system, and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In another aspect of this embodiment, the formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the formulation is an aqueous aerosol formulation, a dry powder aerosol formulation, or a propellant-based formulation.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof. In one aspect of this embodiment, the drug is present in a concentration of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 600 mg/ml.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from esters of lauric acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 oleate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-9 oleate, PEG-10 laurate, PEG-10 oleate, PEG-12 laurate, PEG-12 oleate, PEG-15 oleate, PEG-20 laurate, and PEG-20 oleate.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 dilaurate, PEG-20 dioleate, PEG-20 distearate, PEG-32 dilaurate and PEG-32 dioleate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 glyceryl laurate, PEG-30 glyceryl laurate, PEG-40 glyceryl laurate, PEG-20 glyceryl oleate, and PEG-30 glyceryl oleate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-35 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-25 trioleate, PEG-60 corn glycerides, PEG-60 almond oil, PEG-40 palm kernel oil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-5 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-9 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 corn oil, PEG-6 almond oil, PEG-6 apricot kernel oil, PEG-6 olive oil, PEG-6 peanut oil, PEG-6 hydrogenated palm kernel oil, PEG-6 palm kernel oil, PEG-6 triolein, PEG-8 corn oil, PEG-20 corn glycerides, and PEG-20 almond glycerides.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from polyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl-2 dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 trioleate, polyglyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, and polyglyceryl linoleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 mono, dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 linoleate, polyglyceryl-6 stearate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 myristate, polyglyceryl-6 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-6 linoleate, and polyglyceryl polyricinoleate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol ricinoleate, propylene glycol monooleate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, and propylene glycol dioctanoate.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is PEG-24 cholesterol ether. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from sterol polyethylene glycol derivatives. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate, PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate, and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-3 oleyl ether and PEG-4 lauryl ether.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monolaurate, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-decyl-β-D-maltopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-heptyl-β-D-glucop-yranoside, n-heptyl-β-D-thioglucoside, n-hexyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-noyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and octyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from PEG-10-100 nonyl phenol, PEG-15-100 octyl phenol ether, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, and nonoxynol. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from poloxamer 108, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 217, poloxamer 238, poloxamer 288, poloxamer 338, and poloxamer 407. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from poloxamer 124, poloxamer 182, poloxamer 183, poloxamer 212, poloxamer 331, and poloxamer 335.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan monostearate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, ergosterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecal-ciferol, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, vitamin A, fursultiamine, methylolriboflavin, octotiamine, prosultiamine, riboflavine, vintiamol, dihydrovitamin K1, menadiol diacetate, menadiol dibutyrate, menadiol disulfate, menadiol, vitamin K1, vitamin K1 oxide, vitamins K2, and vitamin K—S(II), and folic acid.

In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid, cetotiamine, cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from alanine, arginine, asparagines, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, and salts of any of the foregoing. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is albumin.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octoxynol-9, Polysorbates, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic anhydride, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from riboflavin, riboflavin-phosphate sodium, Vitamin D3, folic acid, vitamin 12, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-10 stearate. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic acids, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the additive is chosen from Vitamin D2 and D3.

In one embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the drug is present in a concentration of about 0.05 mg/g to about 990 mg/g. In another embodiment of the pharmaceutical formulation, the formulation further comprises an additional drug. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additional drug is selected from the group consisting of corticosteroids, anticholinergics, beta-agonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, macrolide antibiotics, bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor inhibitors, cromolyn sulfate, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for treating a respiratory system in a mammal comprising (1) forming an aerosol of a dispersion of particles, wherein the particles comprise a water insoluble drug and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system, and (2) administering the aerosol to the respiratory system of the mammal. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In another aspect of this embodiment, the dispersion does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer. In another aspect of this embodiment, the dispersion does not include a purely hydrophobic additive. In another aspect of this embodiment, the dispersion does not include a dye. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an aerosol device for delivering a drug to a respiratory system, the device comprising a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a water insoluble drug and an additive, wherein the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system. In one aspect of this embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulation is an aqeuous, propellant based, or dry powder formulation. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In another aspect of this embodiment, the formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof. In another aspect of this embodiment, the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the aerosol device is one of a nebulizer, a hand-held meter dose inhaler, or a dry powder inhaler.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a device sized and configured for insertion into a passage of a respiratory system, the device comprising a layer overlying an exterior surface of the device, the layer comprising a water insoluble drug for the treatment of the respiratory system and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In another aspect of this embodiment, the layer does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer. In another aspect of this embodiment, the layer does not include a purely hydrophobic additive. In another aspect of this embodiment, the layer does not include a dye. In another aspect of this embodiment, the device is a balloon catheter or a stent. In another aspect of this embodiment, the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for treating a respiratory system comprising inserting a balloon catheter comprising a coating layer into an airway, wherein the coating layer comprises a drug and an additive, inflating the balloon catheter and releasing the drug to a wall of the airway, deflating the balloon; and withdrawing the balloon catheter from the airway. In one aspect of this embodiment, the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory or sinus system. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles. In another aspect of this embodiment, the cocating layer does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer. In another aspect of this embodiment, the coating layer does not include a purely hydrophobic additive. In another aspect of this embodiment, the coating layer does not include a dye. In another aspect of this embodiment, the drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof. In another aspect of this embodiment, the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the drug can be released to the wall of the airway prior to, during, or after an asthma attack.

It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic sinusitis, including cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, nasal and sinus dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia. According to embodiments, the method involves administration, preferably oral or pulmonary administration, of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs (rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues).

The anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs intended for intranasal delivery (systemic and local) for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, COPD and chronic sinusitis can be, administered as aqueous solutions or suspensions, as solutions or suspensions in halogenated hydrocarbon propellants (pressurized metered-dose inhalers), or as dry powders. Metered-dose spray pumps for aqueous formulations, pMDIs, and DPIs for nasal delivery, are available from, for example, Valois of America or Pfeiffer of America.

The drugs intended for pulmonary delivery can also be administered as aqueous formulations, as suspensions or solutions in halogenated hydrocarbon propellants, or as dry powders. Aqueous formulations must be aerosolized by liquid nebulizers employing either hydraulic or ultrasonic atomization, propellant-based systems require suitable pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), and dry powders require dry powder inhaler devices (DPIs), which are capable of dispersing the drug substance effectively. For aqueous and other non-pressurized liquid systems, a variety of nebulizers (including small volume nebulizers) are available to aerosolize the formulations. Compressor-driven nebulizers incorporate jet technology and use compressed air to generate the liquid aerosol. Such devices are commercially available from, for example, Healthdyne Technologies, Inc.; Invacare, Inc.; Mountain Medical Equipment, Inc.; Pari Respiratory, Inc.; Mada Medical, Inc.; Puritan-Bennet; Schuco, Inc., DeVilbiss Health Care, Inc.; and Hospitak, Inc. Ultrasonic nebulizers rely on mechanical energy in the form of vibration of a piezoelectric crystal to generate respirable liquid droplets and are commercially available from, for example, Omron Healthcare, Inc. and DeVilbiss Health Care, Inc.

A propellant driven inhaler (pMDI) releases a metered dose of medicine upon each actuation. The medicine is formulated as a suspension or solution of a drug substance in a suitable propellant such as a halogenated hydrocarbon. pMDIs are described in, for example, Newman, S. P., Aerosols and the Lung, Clarke et al., eds., pp. 197-224 (Butterworths, London, England, 1984).

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which involve deaggregation and aerosolization of dry powders, normally rely upon a burst of inspired air that is drawn through the unit to deliver a drug dosage. Such devices are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,814, which is directed to a pneumatic powder ejector having a suction stage and an injection stage; SU 628930 (Abstract), describing a hand-held powder disperser having an axial air flow tube; Fox et al., Powder and Bulk Engineering, pages 33-36 (March 1988), describing a venturi eductor having an axial air inlet tube upstream of a venturi restriction; EP 347 779, describing a hand-held powder disperser having a collapsible expansion chamber; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,049 directed to dry powder delivery devices for drugs.

Droplet/particle size determines deposition site. In developing the therapeutic aerosol of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drugs, the aerodynamic size distribution of the inhaled particles is the single most important variable in defining the site of droplet or particle deposition in the patient; in short, it will determine whether drug targeting succeeds or fails. See P. Byron, “Aerosol Formulation, Generation, and Delivery Using Nonmetered Systems,” Respiratory Drug Delivery, 144-151, 144 (CRC Press, 1989). Thus, a prerequisite in developing a therapeutic aerosol is a preferential particle size. The deposition of inhaled aerosols involves different mechanisms for different size particles. D. Swift (1980); Parodi et al., “Airborne Particles and Their Pulmonary Deposition,” in Scientific Foundations of Respiratory Medicine, Scaddings et al. (eds.), pp. 545-557 (W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1981); J. Heyder, “Mechanism of Aerosol Particle Deposition,” Chest, 80:820-823 (1981).

Generally, inhaled particles are subject to deposition by one of two mechanisms: impaction, which usually predominates for larger particles, and sedimentation, which is prevalent for smaller particles. Impaction occurs when the momentum of an inhaled particle is large enough that the particle does not follow the air stream and encounters a physiological surface. In contrast, sedimentation occurs primarily in the deep lung when very small particles which have traveled with the inhaled air stream encounter physiological surfaces as a result of random diffusion within the air stream. For intranasally administered drug compounds which are inhaled through the nose, it is desirable for the drug to impact directly on the nasal mucosa; thus, large (ca. 5 to 100 microns) particles or droplets are generally preferred for targeting of nasal delivery.

Pulmonary drug delivery of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drugs is accomplished by inhalation of an aerosol through the mouth and throat. Particles having aerodynamic diameters of greater than about 5 microns generally do not reach the lung; instead, they tend to impact the back of the throat and are swallowed and possibly orally absorbed. Particles having diameters of about 2 to about 5 microns are small enough to reach the upper- to mid-pulmonary region (conducting airways), but are too large to reach the alveoli. Even smaller particles, i.e., about 0.5 to about 2 microns, are capable of reaching the alveolar region. Particles having diameters smaller than about 0.5 microns can also be deposited in the alveolar region by sedimentation, although very small particles may be exhaled.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to aqueous, propellant-based, and dry powder aerosols of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug compositions, for pulmonary delivery, in which essentially every inhaled particle contains at least one anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug particle. The drug is highly water-insoluble. Preferably, the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug has an effective average particle size of about 5 micron or less.

A. Aqueous Aerosol Formulations

Embodiments of the present invention encompass aqueous formulations containing drug particles. For aqueous aerosol formulations, the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug may be present at a concentration of about 0.05 mg/ml up to about 600 mg/ML. Such formulations provide effective delivery to appropriate areas of the lung. In addition, the more concentrated aerosol formulations (i.e., for aqueous aerosol formulations, about 10 mg/ml up to about 600 mg/ml) have the additional advantage of enabling large quantities of drug substance to be delivered to the lung in a very short period of time.

B. Dry Powder Aerosol Formulations

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to dry powder aerosol formulations comprising anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug particles for pulmonary and nasal administration. Dry powders, which can be used in both DPIs and pMDIs, can be made by spray drying aqueous drug dispersions. Alternatively, dry powders containing anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug can be made by freeze-drying drug dispersions. Combinations of spray-dried and freeze-dried drug powders can be used in DPIs and pMDIs. For dry powder aerosol formulations, the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug may be present at a concentration of about 0.05 mg/g up to about 990 mg/g.

1. Spray-Dried Powders Containing Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferate Drug

Powders comprising anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug can be made by spray-drying aqueous dispersions of a drug and an additive to form a dry powder which consists of aggregated drug particles. The aggregates can have a size of about 1 to about 2 microns, which is suitable for deep lung delivery. The aggregate particle size can be increased to target alternative delivery sites, such as the upper bronchial region or nasal mucosa by increasing the concentration of drug in the spray-dried dispersion or by increasing the droplet size generated by the spray dryer.

Alternatively, the aqueous dispersion of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug and additive can contain a dissolved diluent such as lactose or mannitol which, when spray dried, forms respirable diluent particles, each of which contains at least one embedded drug particle and additive. The diluent particles with embedded drug can have a particle size of about 1 to about 2 microns, suitable for deep lung delivery. In addition, the diluent particle size can be increased to target alternate delivery sites, such as the upper bronchial region or nasal mucosa by increasing the concentration of dissolved diluent in the aqueous dispersion prior to spray drying, or by increasing the droplet size generated by the spray dryer.

Spray-dried powders can be used in DPIs or pMDIs, either alone or combined with freeze-dried particulate powder. In addition, spray-dried powders containing drug particles can be reconstituted and used in either jet or ultrasonic nebulizers to generate aqueous dispersions having respirable droplet sizes, where each droplet contains at least one drug particle. Concentrated particulate dispersions may also be used in these aspects of the invention.

2. Freeze-Dried Powders Containing Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferative Particulate Drug

The particulate drug dispersions can also be freeze-dried to obtain powders suitable for nasal or pulmonary delivery. Such powders may contain aggregated particulate drug particles having an additive. Such aggregates may have sizes within a respirable range, i.e., about 2 to about 5 microns.

Freeze dried powders of the appropriate particle size can also be obtained by freeze drying aqueous dispersions of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drug and additive, which additionally contain a dissolved diluent such as lactose or mannitol. In these instances the freeze dried powders consist of respirable particles of diluent, each of which contains at least one embedded drug particle.

Freeze-dried powders can be used in DPIs or pMDIs, either alone or combined with spray-dried particulate powder. In addition, freeze-dried powders containing drug particles can be reconstituted and used in either jet or ultrasonic nebulizers to generate aqueous dispersions having respirable droplet sizes, where each droplet contains at least one drug particle. Concentrated particulate dispersions may also be used in these aspects of the invention.

C. Propellant-Based Formulations

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a process and composition for propellant-based systems comprising anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative drug particles and an additive. Such formulations may be prepared by wet milling the coarse drug substance and additive in liquid propellant, either at ambient pressure or under high pressure conditions. Alternatively, dry powders containing drug particles may be prepared by spray-drying or freeze-drying aqueous dispersions of drug particles and the resultant powders dispersed into suitable propellants for use in conventional pMDIs. Such particulate pMDI formulations can be used for either nasal or pulmonary delivery. For pulmonary administration, such formulations afford increased delivery to the deep lung regions because of the small (i.e., about 1 to about 2 microns) particle sizes available from these methods. Concentrated aerosol formulations can also be employed in pMDIs.

D. Methods of Making Aerosol Formulations

In embodiments, the invention also provides methods for making an aerosol of anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug particulate compositions. The particulate dispersions used in making aqueous aerosol compositions can be made by wet milling or by precipitation methods known in the art. Dry powders containing the drug particles can be made by spray-drying or freeze-drying aqueous dispersions of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug particles. The dispersions used in these systems may or may not contain dissolved diluent material prior to drying. Additionally, both pressurized and non-pressurized milling operations can be employed to make particulate drug compositions in non-aqueous systems.

In a non-aqueous, non-pressurized milling system, a non-aqueous liquid which has a vapor pressure of 1 atm or less at room temperature is used as a milling medium and may be evaporated to yield dry particulate drug and additive. The non-aqueous liquid may be, for example, a high-boiling halogenated hydrocarbon. The dry particulate drug composition thus produced may then be mixed with a suitable propellant or propellants and used in a conventional pMDI.

Alternatively, in a pressurized milling operation, a non-aqueous liquid which has a vapor pressure >1 atm at room temperature is used as a milling medium for making a particulate drug and additive composition. Such a liquid may be, for example, a halogenated hydrocarbon propellant which has a low boiling point. The resultant particulate composition can then be used in a conventional pMDI without further modification, or can be blended with other suitable propellants. Concentrated aerosols may also be made via such methods.

E. Methods of Using Particulate Aerosol Formulations

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating asthma and COPD of mammals comprising: (1) forming an aerosol of a dispersion (either aqueous or powder) of the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferate drug particles, wherein the particles comprise an insoluble drug having an additive on the surface thereof, and (2) administering the aerosol to the pulmonary or nasal cavities of the mammal. Concentrated aerosol formulations may also be used in such methods.

Drugs and Drug Combinations

The therapeutic drug or agent in the invention comprises one or more drugs or agents selected from the group consisting of an anti-thrombosis agent, an anti-proliferate agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-coagulant, an agent affecting extra cellular matrix production and organization, and a vasodilating agent.

Examples of the therapeutic agents or drugs that are suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include sirolimus, everolimus, actinomycin D (ActD), taxol, paclitaxel, or derivatives and analogs thereof. Examples of agents include other antiproliferative substances as well as antineoplastic, antiinflammatory, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antifibrin, antithrombin, antimitotic, antibiotic, and antioxidant substances. Examples of antineoplastics include taxol (paclitaxel and docetaxel). Further examples of therapeutic drugs or agents include antiplatelets, anticoagulants, antifibrins, antiinflammatories, antithrombins, and antiproliferatives. Examples of antiplatelets, anticoagulants, antifibrins, and antithrombins include, but are not limited to, sodium heparin, low molecular weight heparin, hirudin, argatroban, forskolin, vapiprost, prostacyclin and prostacyclin analogs, dextran, D-phe-pro-arg-chloromethylketone (synthetic antithrombin), dipyridamole, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet membrane receptor antagonist, recombinant hirudin, thrombin inhibitor (available from Biogen located in Cambridge, Mass.), and 7E-3B.RTM. (An antiplatelet drug from Centocor located in Malvern, Pa.). Examples of antimitotic agents include methotrexate, azathioprine, vincristine, vinblastine, fluorouracil, adriamycin, and mutamycin. Examples of cytostatic or antiproliferative agents include angiopeptin (a somatostatin analog from Ibsen located in the United Kingdom), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as Captopril.RTM. (available from Squibb located in New York, N.Y.), Cilazapril.RTM. (available from Hoffman-LaRoche located in Basel, Switzerland), or Lisinopril.RTM. (available from Merck located in Whitehouse Station, N.J.); calcium channel blockers (such as Nifedipine), colchicine, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) antagonists, fish oil (omega 3-fatty acid), histamine antagonists, Lovastatin.RTM. (an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, a cholesterol lowering drug from Merck), methotrexate, monoclonal antibodies (such as PDGF receptors), nitroprusside, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, prostaglandin inhibitor (available from GlaxoSmithKline located in United Kingdom), Seramin (a PDGF antagonist), serotonin blockers, steroids, thioprotease inhibitors, triazolopyrimidine (a PDGF antagonist), and nitric oxide. Other therapeutic drugs or agents which may be appropriate include alpha-interferon, genetically engineered epithelial cells, and dexamethasone.

An anti-thrombosis agent, an anti-proliferate agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, especially rapamycin or paclitaxel and their analogues, as discussed above, can be used in combination with other drugs, such as inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled anticholinergics such as ipratropium and beta-agonists such as albuterol, inhaled leukotriene inhibitors, and inhaled epinephrine.

Some drugs that are considered particularly suitable for the combination are inhaled corticosteroids such as, Budesonide, Flunisolide, Triamcinolone, Beclomethasone, Fluticasone, Mometasone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisone, Cotisone, Betamethasone, or the like. Some other suitable drugs are bronchodilators such as Terbutaline, Albuterol, Ipratropium, Pirbuterol, Epinephrine, Salmeterol, Levalbuterol, Formoterol, or the like.

Other drugs that are also considered to be suitably administered in the combinations include, but are not limited to, Leukotriene inhibitors such as Montelukast, Zafirlukast, Zileuton, or the like; antihistamines such as Loratadine, Cetirizine or the like; Anti-Tuberculosis drugs for M TB or atypical mycobacteria such as, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide, Rifamycin; Rifampin, Streptomycin, Clarithromycin, or the like; other drugs; such as the Serine lung protease inhibitors Azelastine, and Theophylline; and other peptides, such as those that relate to Allergy Immunotherapy for indoor and outdoor allergens, or the like. Additionally, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramicin, rifabutin, rifapentine, sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, quinolones, azithromycin, erythromycin, isoniazid, or the like, can be considered to be useful.

According to embodiments of the invention preferred, β₂ agonists in the combinations according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of albuterol, bambuterol, bitolterol, broxaterol, carbuterol, clenbuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, hexoprenaline, ibuterol, isoetharine, isoprenaline, levosalbutamol, mabuterol, meluadrine, metaproterenol, orciprenaline, pirbuterol, procaterol, reproterol, TD 3327, ritodrine, salmeterol, salmefamol, soterenot, sulphonterol, tiaramide, terbutaline, and tolubuterol.

Additive

The additive of the present invention has two parts. One part is hydrophilic and the other part is hydrophobic or lipophilic. The hydrophobic or lipophilic part of the additive may bind the lipophilic drug, such as rapamycin or paclitaxel. The hydrophilic portion accelerates diffusion and increases permeation of the drug into tissue. It may facilitate rapid movement of drug off the medical device during deployment and into interstitial space and through polar head groups to the lipid bilayer of cell membranes of target tissues.

The additive has a lipophilic or hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part. The hydrophobic part may include aliphatic and aromatic organic hydrocarbon compounds, such as benzene, toluene, and alkanes, among others. These parts are not water soluble. They have no covalently bonded iodine. The hydrophilic part may include hydroxyl groups, amine groups, amide groups, carbonyl groups, carboxylic acid and anhydrides, ethyl oxide, ethyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, ascorbic acid, amino acid, amino alcohol, glucose, sucrose, sorbitan, glycerol, polyalcohol, phosphates, sulfates, organic salts and their substituted molecules, among others. These parts can dissolve in water and polar solvents. These additives are not oils, lipids, or polymers. The therapeutic agent is not enclosed in micelles or liposomes or encapsulated in polymer particles.

As is well known in the art, the terms “hydrophilic” and “hydrophobic” are relative terms. To function as an additive in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the compound includes polar or charged hydrophilic moieties as well as non-polar hydrophobic (lipophilic) moieties.

An empirical parameter commonly used in medicinal chemistry to characterize the relative hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of pharmaceutical compounds is the partition coefficient, P, the ratio of concentrations of unionized compound in the two phases of a mixture of two immiscible solvents, usually octanol and water, such that P=([solute]octanol/[solute]water). Compounds with higher log Ps are more hydrophobic, while compounds with lower log Ps are more hydrophilic. Lipinski's rule suggests that pharmaceutical compounds having log P<5 are typically more membrane permeable. While a compound's octanol-water partition coefficient P or log P is useful as a measurement of relative hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, it is merely a rough guide that may be useful in defining suitable additives for use in embodiments of the present invention.

Suitable additives that can be used in embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, organic and inorganic pharmaceutical recipients, natural products and their derivatives (such as sugars, vitamins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, fatty acids), low molecular weight oligomers, surfactants (anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and ionic), and mixtures thereof. The following detailed list of additives useful in the present invention is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to be comprehensive. Many other additives may be useful for purposes of the present invention.

Surfactants

The surfactant can be any surfactant suitable for use in pharmaceutical compositions. Such surfactants can be anionic, cationic, zwitterionic or non-ionic. Mixtures of surfactants are also within the scope of the invention, as are combinations of surfactant and other additives. The surfactants often have one or more long aliphatic chains such as fatty acids. They insert directly into the lipid structures to form part of the lipid structure of the cells, and the other structure parts of the surfactants results in loosening the lipid structure to enhance the drug penetration and absorption. The iopromide will not do the same.

An empirical parameter commonly used to characterize the relative hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of surfactants is the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (“HLB” value). Surfactants with lower HLB values are more hydrophobic, and have greater solubility in oils, while surfactants with higher HLB values are more hydrophilic, and have greater solubility in aqueous solutions. Using HLB values as a rough guide, hydrophilic surfactants are generally considered to be those compounds having an HLB value greater than about 10, as well as anionic, cationic, or zwitterionic compounds for which the HLB scale is not generally applicable. Similarly, hydrophobic surfactants are compounds having an HLB value less than about 10.

It should be understood that the HLB value of a surfactant is merely a rough guide generally used to enable formulation of industrial, pharmaceutical and cosmetic emulsions, for example. For many important surfactants, including several polyethoxylated surfactants, it has been reported that HLB values can differ by as much as about 8 HLB units, depending upon the empirical method chosen to determine the HLB value (Schott, J. Pharm. Sciences, 79(1), 87-88 (1990)). Keeping these inherent difficulties in mind, and using HLB values as a guide, surfactants may be identified that have suitable hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity for use in embodiments of the present invention, as described herein.

PEG-Fatty Acids and PEG-Fatty Acid Mono and Diesters

Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) itself does not function as a surfactant, a variety of PEG-fatty acid esters have useful surfactant properties. Among the PEG-fatty acid monoesters, esters of lauric acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid are most useful in embodiments of the present invention. Preferred hydrophilic surfactants include PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 oleate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-9 oleate, PEG-10 laurate, PEG-10 oleate, PEG-12 laurate, PEG-12 oleate, PEG-15 oleate, PEG-20 laurate and PEG-20 oleate. The HLB values are in the range of 4-20.

Polyethylene glycol fatty acid diesters are also suitable for use as surfactants in the compositions of embodiments of the present invention. Most preferred hydrophilic surfactants include PEG-20 dilaurate, PEG-20 dioleate, PEG-20 distearate, PEG-32 dilaurate and PEG-32 dioleate. The HLB values are in the range of 5-15.

In general, mixtures of surfactants are also useful in embodiments of the present invention, including mixtures of two or more commercial surfactants as well as mixtures of surfactants with another additive or additives. Several PEG-fatty acid esters are marketed commercially as mixtures or mono- and diesters.

Polyethylene Glycol Glycerol Fatty Acid Esters

Preferred hydrophilic surfactants are PEG-20 glyceryl laurate, PEG-30 glyceryl laurate, PEG-40 glyceryl laurate, PEG-20 glyceryl oleate, and PEG-30 glyceryl oleate.

Alcohol-Oil Transesterification Products

A large number of surfactants of different degrees of hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity can be prepared by reaction of alcohols or polyalcohol with a variety of natural and/or hydrogenated oils. Most commonly, the oils used are castor oil or hydrogenated castor oil, or an edible vegetable oil such as corn oil, olive oil, peanut oil, palm kernel oil, apricot kernel oil, or almond oil. Preferred alcohols include glycerol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, and pentaerythritol. Among these alcohol-oil transesterified surfactants, preferred hydrophilic surfactants are PEG-35 castor oil (Incrocas-35), PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor RH 40), PEG-25 trioleate (TAGAT.RTM. TO), PEG-60 corn glycerides (Crovol M70), PEG-60 almond oil (Crovol A70), PEG-40 palm kernel oil (Crovol PK70), PEG-50 castor oil (Emalex C-50), PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil (Emalex HC-50), PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides (Labrasol), and PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides (Softigen 767). Preferred hydrophobic surfactants in this class include PEG-5 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-9 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 corn oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 2125 CS), PEG-6 almond oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 1966 CS), PEG-6 apricot kernel oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 1944 CS), PEG-6 olive oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 1980 CS), PEG-6 peanut oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 1969 CS), PEG-6 hydrogenated palm kernel oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 2130 BS), PEG-6 palm kernel oil (Labrafil.RTM. M 2130 CS), PEG-6 triolein (Labrafil.RTM.b M 2735 CS), PEG-8 corn oil (Labrafil.RTM. WL 2609 BS), PEG-20 corn glycerides (Crovol M40), and PEG-20 almond glycerides (Crovol A40).

Polyglyceryl Fatty Acids

Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids are also suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Among the polyglyceryl fatty acid esters, preferred hydrophobic surfactants include polyglyceryl oleate (Plurol Oleique), polyglyceryl-2 dioleate (Nikkol DGDO), polyglyceryl-10 trioleate, polyglyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, and polyglyceryl linoleate. Preferred hydrophilic surfactants include polyglyceryl-10 laurate (Nikkol Decaglyn 1-L), polyglyceryl-10 oleate (Nikkol Decaglyn 1-0), and polyglyceryl-10 mono, dioleate (Caprol.RTM. PEG 860), polyglyceryl-10 stearate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 linoleate, polyglyceryl-6 stearate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 myristate, polyglyceryl-6 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-6 linoleate. Polyglyceryl polyricinoleates (Polymuls) are also preferred surfactants.

Propylene Glycol Fatty Acid Esters

Esters of propylene glycol and fatty acids are suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. In this surfactant class, preferred hydrophobic surfactants include propylene glycol monolaurate (Lauroglycol FCC), propylene glycol ricinoleate (Propymuls), propylene glycol monooleate (Myverol P-06), propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate (Captex.RTM. 200), and propylene glycol dioctanoate (Captex.RTM. 800).

Sterol and Sterol Derivatives

Sterols and derivatives of sterols are suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Preferred derivatives include the polyethylene glycol derivatives. A preferred surfactant in this class is PEG-24 cholesterol ether (Solulan C-24).

Polyethylene Glycol Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters

A variety of PEG-sorbitan fatty acid esters are available and are suitable for use as surfactants in embodiments of the present invention. Among the PEG-sorbitan fatty acid esters, preferred surfactants include PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20), PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate (Tween-40), PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate (Tween-60), and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate (Tween-80).

Polyethylene Glycol Alkyl Ethers

Ethers of polyethylene glycol and alkyl alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Preferred ethers include PEG-3 oleyl ether (Volpo 3) and PEG-4 lauryl ether (Brij 30).

Sugar and its Derivatives

Sugar derivatives are suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Preferred surfactants in this class include sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monolaurate, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-decyl-β-D-maltopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-heptyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-heptyl-β-D-thioglucoside, n-hexyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-nonyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and octyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside.

Polyethylene Glycol Alkyl Phenols

Several PEG-alkyl phenol surfactants are available, such as PEG-10-100 nonyl phenol and PEG-15-100 octyl phenol ether, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, and are suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention.

Polyoxyethylene-Polyoxypropylene (POE-POP) Block Copolymers

The POE-POP block copolymers are a unique class of polymeric surfactants. The unique structure of the surfactants, with hydrophilic POE and hydrophobic POP moieties in well-defined ratios and positions, provides a wide variety of surfactants suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention. These surfactants are available under various trade names, including Synperonic PE series (ICI); Pluronic.RTM. series (BASF), Emkalyx, Lutrol (BASF), Supronic, Monolan, Pluracare, and Plurodac. The generic term for these polymers is “poloxamer” (CAS 9003-11-6). These polymers have the formula: HO(C₂H₄O)_(a)(C₃H₆O)_(b)(C₂H₄O)_(a)H where “a” and “b” denote the number of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene units, respectively.

Preferred hydrophilic surfactants of this class include Poloxamers 108, 188, 217, 238, 288, 338, and 407. Preferred hydrophobic surfactants in this class include Poloxamers 124, 182, 183, 212, 331, and 335.

Sorbitan Fatty Acid Esters

Sorbitan esters of fatty acids are suitable surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Among these esters, preferred hydrophobic surfactants include sorbitan monolaurate (Arlacel 20), sorbitan monopalmitate (Span-40), sorbitan monooleate (Span-80), sorbitan monostearate.

The sorbitan monopalmitate, an amphiphilic derivative of Vitamin C (which has Vitamin C activity), can serve two important functions in solubilization systems. First, it possesses effective polar groups that can modulate the microenvironment. These polar groups are the same groups that make vitamin C itself (ascorbic acid) one of the most water-soluble organic solid compounds available: ascorbic acid is soluble to about 30 wt/wt % in water (very close to the solubility of sodium chloride, for example). And second, when the pH increases so as to convert a fraction of the ascorbyl palmitate to a more soluble salt, such as sodium ascorbyl palmitate.

Ionic Surfactants

Ionic surfactants, including cationic, anionic and zwitterionic surfactants, are suitable hydrophilic surfactants for use in embodiments of the present invention. Preferred ionic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts, fatty acid salts and bile salts. Specifically, preferred ionic surfactants include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, docecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium docecylsulfates, dialkyl methylbenzyl ammonium chloride, edrophonium chloride, domiphen bromide, dialkylesters of sodium sulfonsuccinic acid, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium cholate, and sodium taurocholate. These quaternary ammonium salts are preferred additives. They can be dissolved in both organic solvents (such as ethanol, acetone, and toluene) and water. This is especially useful for medical device coatings because it simplifies the preparation and coating process and has good adhesive properties. Water insoluble drugs are commonly dissolved in organic solvents.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Salts Thereof

Vitamins A, D, E and K in many of their various forms and provitamin forms are considered as fat-soluble vitamins and in addition to these a number of other vitamins and vitamin sources or close relatives are also fat-soluble and have polar groups, and relatively high octanol-water partition coefficients. Clearly, the general class of such compounds has a history of safe use and high benefit to risk ratio, making them useful as additives in embodiments of the present invention.

The following examples of fat-soluble vitamin derivatives and/or sources are also useful as additives: Alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, ergosterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecal-ciferol, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, vitamin A, fursultiamine, methylolriboflavin, octotiamine, prosultiamine, riboflavine, vintiamol, dihydrovitamin K1, menadiol diacetate, menadiol dibutyrate, menadiol disulfate, menadiol, vitamin K1, vitamin K1 oxide, vitamins K2, and vitamin K—S(II). Folic acid is also of this type, and although it is water-soluble at physiological pH, it can be formulated in the free acid form. Other derivatives of fat-soluble vitamins useful in embodiments of the present invention may easily be obtained via well known chemical reactions with hydrophilic molecules.

Water-Soluble Vitamins and their Amphiphilic Derivatives

Vitamins B, C, U, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and some of the menadione-related vitamins/provitamins in many of their various forms are considered water-soluble vitamins. These may also be conjugated or complexed with hydrophobic moieties or multivalent ions into amphiphilic forms having relatively high octanol-water partition coefficients and polar groups. Again, such compounds can be of low toxicity and high benefit to risk ratio, making them useful as additives in embodiments of the present invention. Salts of these can also be useful as additives in the present invention. Examples of water-soluble vitamins and derivatives include, without limitation, acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid, cetotiamine, cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U. Also, as mentioned above, folic acid is, over a wide pH range including physiological pH, water-soluble, as a salt.

Compounds in which an amino or other basic group is present can easily be modified by simple acid-base reaction with a hydrophobic group-containing acid such as a fatty acid (especially lauric, oleic, myristic, palmitic, stearic, or 2-ethylhexanoic acid), low-solubility amino acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, or an acidic fat-soluble vitamin (such as riboflavin). Other compounds might be obtained by reacting such an acid with another group on the vitamin such as a hydroxyl group to form a linkage such as an ester linkage, etc. Derivatives of a water-soluble vitamin containing an acidic group can be generated in reactions with a hydrophobic group-containing reactant such as stearylamine or riboflavine, for example, to create a compound that is useful in embodiments of the present invention. The linkage of a palmitate chain to vitamin C yields ascorbyl palmitate.

Amino Acids and Their Salts

Alanine, arginine, asparagines, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, and their derivatives are other useful additives in embodiments of the invention.

Certain amino acids, in their zwitterionic form and/or in a salt form with a monovalent or multivalent ion, have polar groups, relatively high octanol-water partition coefficients, and are useful in embodiments of the present invention. In the context of the present disclosure we take “low-solubility amino acid” to mean an amino acid which has solubility in unbuffered water of less than about 4% (40 mg/ml). These include Cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine.

Amino acid dimers, sugar-conjugates, and other derivatives are also useful, such as dopamine hydrochloride, DOPA, LOVADOPA, and carbidopa. Through simple reactions well known in the art hydrophilic molecules may be joined to hydrophobic amino acids, or hydrophobic molecules to hydrophilic amino acids, to make additional additives useful in embodiments of the present invention.

Oligopeptides, Peptides and Proteins

Oligopeptides and peptides are useful as additives, since hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids may be easily coupled and various sequences of amino acids may be tested to maximally facilitate permeation of tissue by drug.

Proteins are also useful as additives in embodiments of the present invention. Serum albumin, for example, is a particularly preferred additive since it is water soluble and contains significant hydrophobic parts to bind drug: paclitaxel is 89% to 98% protein-bound after human intravenous infusion, and rapamycin is 92% protein bound, primarily (97%) to albumin. Furthermore, paclitaxel solubility in PBS increases over 20-fold with the addition of BSA. Albumin is naturally present at high concentrations in serum and is thus very safe for human intravascular use.

Other useful proteins include, without limitation, other albumins, immunoglobulins, caseins, hemoglobins, lysozymes, immunoglobins, a-2-macroglobulin, fibronectins, vitronectins, firbinogens, lipases, and the like.

Organic Acids and Their Esters and Anhydrides

Examples are acetic acid and anhydride, benzoic acid and anhydride, acetylsalicylic acid, diflunisal, 2-hydroxyethyl salicylate, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, ascorbic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid aspartic acid, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, and 2-pyrrolidone.

These esters and anhydrides are soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, methylethylketone, ethylacetate. The water insoluble drugs can be dissolved in organic solvent with these esters and anhydrides, then coated easily on to the medical device, then hydrolyzed under high pH conditions. The hydrolyzed anhydrides or esters are acids or alcohols, which are water soluble and can effectively carry the drugs off the device into the vessel walls.

Preferred additives include benzalkonium chloride, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octoxynol-9 (Triton X-100), Polysorbates (such as 20, 21, 40, 60, 80 and 81), Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, isononylphenylpolyglycidol (Olin-10 G and Surfactant-10G), PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate (Arlacel 20), sorbitan monopalmitate (Span-40), sorbitan monooleate (Span-80), sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic anhydride, niacinamide, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, and the like. These additives are both water soluble and organic solvent soluble. They have good adhesive properties and adhere to the surface of polyamide medical devices, such as balloon catheters. They may therefore be used in both the adherent layer and in the drug layer of embodiments of the present invention. The aromatic and aliphatic groups increase the solubility of water insoluble drugs in the coating solution, and the polar groups of alcohols and acids accelerate drug permeation of tissue.

Other preferred additives that may be useful in embodiments of the present invention include riboflavin, riboflavin-phosphate sodium, Vitamin D3, folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin 12, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine. These additives are often compatible with water insoluble drugs (such as paclitaxel and rapamycin) from structure point of view. They often contain double bonds such as C═C, C═N, C═O in aromatic or aliphatic structure. They also contains amine, alcohol, ester, amide, anhydride, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl group on their structure. Those molecules containing multiple hydroxyl groups are especially useful. They can have good affinity to vessel wall. These molecules are polyglyceryl fatty esters, ascorbic ester of fatty acids, sugar ester, alcohol and ether of fatty acids. The fatty chains can insert into the lipid structure to form part of the lipid structure. Some of the aminoacids, vitamins and organic acids have aromatic C═N, amino, hydroxyl, and carboxylic group on their structure. These structure can bind or complex with paclitaxel or rapamycin. They are very compatible with paclitaxel and rapamycin because of the similar structure. They can penetrate into tissue to loosen lipid structure of the cells.

For example, isononylphenylpolyglycidol (Olin-10 G and Surfactant-10G), PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate (Arlacel 20), sorbitan monopalmitate (Span-40), sorbitan monooleate (Span-80), sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-10 stearate, these molecules have more than four hydroxyl groups in their hydrophilic part. These hydroxyl groups have very good affinity to the vessel wall. At the same time they have long chain of fatty acid, alcohol, ether and ester they can insert into the lipid structure of the cells to form the part of the lipid structure. This results in the deformed or loosen lipid structure, leading to drug absorption and penetration in the tissue.

For another example, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic acids, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, these molecules have a very high water and ethanol solubility, a low molecular weight and small size; therefore they can penetrate into the tissue easily. They also have the chemical structure of aromatic C═N, amino, hydroxyl, and carboxylic groups. These structures have very good compatibility with paclitaxel and rapamycin. They can increase the solubility of the water-insoluble drugs in water. These will enhance the absorption of the drug in the tissues.

Representative examples of additives include cetyl pyridinium chloride, gelatin, casein, lecithin (phosphatides), dextran, glycerol, gum acacia, cholesterol, tragacanth, stearic acid, benzalkonium chloride, calcium stearate, glycerol monostearate, cetostearyl alcohol, cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, sorbitan esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (e.g., macrogol ethers such as cetomacrogol 1000), polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters (e.g., the commercially available Tweens.RTM. such as e.g., Tween 20.RTM. and Tween 80.RTM. (ICI Specialty Chemicals)); polyethylene glycols (e.g., Carbowaxs 3350.RTM. and 1450.RTM., and Carbopol 934.RTM. (Union Carbide)), dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene stearates, colloidal silicon dioxide, phosphates, sodium dodecylsulfate, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC, HPC-SL, and HPC-L), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose sodium, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose phthalate, noncrystalline cellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, triethanolamine, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol polymer with ethylene oxide and formaldehyde (also known as tyloxapol, superione, and triton), poloxamers (e.g., Pluronics F68.RTM. and F108.RTM., which are block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide); poloxamines (e.g., Tetronic 908.RTM., also known as Poloxamine 908.RTM., which is a tetrafunctional block copolymer derived from sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine (BASF Wyandotte Corporation, Parsippany, N.J.)); a charged phospholipid such as dimyristoyl phophatidyl glycerol, dioctylsulfosuccinate (DOSS); Tetronic 1508.RTM. (T-1508) (BASF Wyandotte Corporation), dialkylesters of sodium sulfosuccinic acid (e.g., Aerosol OT.RTM., which is a dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid (American Cyanamid)); Duponol P.RTM., which is a sodium lauryl sulfate (DuPont); Tritons X-200.RTM., which is an alkyl aryl polyether sulfonate (Rohm and Haas); Crodestas F-110.RTM., which is a mixture of sucrose stearate and sucrose distearate (Croda Inc.); p-isononylphenoxypoly-(glycidol), also known as Olin-10G.RTM. or Surfactant 10-G.RTM. (Olin Chemicals, Stamford, Conn.); Crodestas SL-40.RTM. (Croda, Inc.); and SA9OHCO, which is C₁₈H₃₇CH₂(CON(CH₃)CH₂(CHOH)₄(CH₂OH)₂ (Eastman Kodak Co.); decanoyl-N-methylglucamide; n-decyl β-D-glucopyranoside; n-decyl β-D-maltopyranoside; n-dodecyl β-D-glucopyranoside; n-dodecyl β-D-maltoside; heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide; n-heptyl-β-D-glucopyranoside; n-heptyl β-D-thioglucoside; n-hexyl β-D-glucopyranoside; nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide; n-nonyl β-D-glucopyranoside; octanoyl-N-methylglucamide; n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside; octyl β-D-thioglucopyranoside; and the like. Tyloxapol is a particularly preferred additive for the pulmonary or intranasal delivery of steroids, even more so for nebulization therapies.

Some of the additives are characterized by rapid extracellular distribution followed by renal excretion by glomerular filtration. It has been reported (Topic in Current Chemistry, Vol. 222, P 150) that these additives are extravasated to a massive extent on the first pass and extraction of the nonionic additives averaged 33% in normally perfused myocardial area and 50% in stenotic area. In another model, approximately 80% of the myocardial content of 1-iothalamate was found in the extravascular space 1 minute after intravenous injection in rats.

Some of the X-ray contrast agents can be used as the additives in embodiments of the invention. Iodinated contrast agents are widely used in X-ray diagnostic procedure such as angiography, urography and computed tomography. X-ray contrast agents have been moved historically from inorganic iodide, to organic mono-iodine compounds (Uroselectan A), bis-iodine (Uroselectan B) and tris-iodine substances (diatrizoate), from lipophilic to hydrophilic agents from ionic (diatrizoate) to non-ionic drugs (iopromide) and from monomers (iopromide) to dimmers (iotrolan).

All presented available X-ray contrast agents for intravascular injection are based upon the triiodobenzene ring substituted with two or three additional hydrophilic groups. In the case of biliary contrast agents (compounds that are taken up by the liver and excreted mainly by the biliary tract), two hydrophilic groups are introduced. For angiographic/urographic agents (compounds that stay within the extravascular distribution volume and that are excreted by the kidneys), three hydrophilic groups are introduced. The monomers are exclusively derived from aminoisophathalic acid. They only differ by their side-chains, which determine their physiochemical characteristics such as solubility, hydrophilicity, viscosity and osmolality. The aqueous solubility of X-ray contrast agents is generally extremely high being in the order of 1000 mg/ml. Most preparations of X-ray contrast agents are over-saturated solutions.

The relative amount of drug and additive can vary widely and the optimal amount of the additive can depend upon, for example, the particular drug and additives selected, the critical micelle concentration of the additive if it forms micelles, the hydrophilic-lipophilic-balance (HLB) of the additive, the melting point of the additive, the water solubility of the additive and/or drug, the surface tension of water solutions of the additive, etc.

In embodiments of the present invention, the optimal ratio of drug to additive is about 1% to about 99% drug, more preferably about 30% to about 90% drug.

Adherent Layer

The adherent layer, which is an optional layer underlying the drug coating layer, improves the adherence of the drug coating layer to the exterior surface of the medical device, such as a balloon catheter or stent, and protects coating integrity. If drug and additive differ in their adherence to the medical device, the adherent layer may prevent differential loss (during transit) or elution (at the target site) of drug layer components in order to maintain consistent drug-to-additive ratio delivery at the target site of therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, the adherent layer may function to facilitate release of coating layer components which otherwise might adhere too strongly to the device for elution during brief contact with tissues at the target site. For example, in the case where a particular drug binds the medical device tightly, more hydrophilic components are incorporated into the adherent layer in order to decrease affinity of the drug to the device surface.

The adherent layer comprises a polymer or an additive or mixtures of both. The polymers that are particularly useful for forming the adherent layer are ones that are biocompatible and avoid irritation of body tissue. Some examples of polymers that are useful for forming the adherent layer are polymers that are biostable, such as polyurethanes, silicones, and polyesters. Other polymers that are useful for forming the adherent layer include polymers that can be dissolved and polymerized on the medical device.

Some examples of polymers that are useful in the adherent layer of embodiments of the present invention include polyolefins, polyisobutylene, ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, Nylon 12 and its block copolymers, polycaprolactone, polyoxymethylenes, polyethers, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, chitins, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and mixtures and block copolymers thereof.

Since medical devices such as balloon catheters and stents undergo mechanical manipulation, i.e., expansion and contraction, examples of polymers that are useful in the adherent layer include elastomeric polymers, such as silicones (e.g., polysiloxanes and substituted polysiloxanes), polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, and EPDM rubbers. Due to the elastic nature of these polymers, when these polymers are used, the coating better adheres to the surface of the medical device when the device is subjected to forces or stress.

The adherent layer may also comprise one or more of the additives previously described, or other components, in order to maintain the integrity and adherence of the coating layer to the device and to facilitate both adherence of drug and additive components during transit and rapid elution during deployment at the site of therapeutic intervention.

In asthma and COPD, many of the clinical signs and symptoms are due to airway obstruction resulting from smooth muscle constriction. The magnitude of the obstructive response observed for a given degree of smooth muscle activation reflects the contractile capacity of the airway smooth muscle and the resistance to airway deformation. The airway smooth muscle plays a central role in asthma. The luminal folding or buckling as a consequence of airway smooth muscle constriction has been observed in asthma. Such bucking has also been observed in arteries, blood vessels in the myocardium, and the gastrointestinal tract (J. Appl. Physiol. 83(6): 1814-1821, 1977). Studies also show that airway smooth muscle cell, in addition to its contractile function, can participate in and coordinate the inflammatory response. The inflammatory smooth muscle produces excess thick and sticky mucus, which causes asthma attack by blocking airways. The smooth muscle hyperplasia has been linked to airway hyperresponsiveness that is a critical phenotypic characteristic of asthma.

The causes of the coronary heart diseases and asthma may be the neointimal proliferation of smooth muscle in arterial vessels and in walls of airways. The one aspect of the invention is to deliver paclitaxel or rapamycin and their analogues to the wall of airways to treat the asthma. The drug coated stents with the two drugs have been approved for inhibiting the growth of the smooth muscle cells in vascular arterial vessels. Drug coated balloon has been approved to achieve similar results as the drug coated stent. Therefore, the drug coated stent and drug coated balloon used for vascular diseases can be adapted in the obstructive airway for the treatment of asthma. The method comprises inserting the therapeutic-agent-delivery balloon catheter into the airway in the lung, inflating the balloon catheter, releasing drug to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased, deflating the balloon, withdrawing the balloon catheter from the airway. The drug may be released to the airway wall prior to, during, or after an asthma attack. The drug may be released in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed, or partially closed.

The pulmonary balloon catheters and stents are similar to vascular balloon catheters and stents. The diameters of the pulmonary balloon catheters and stents are 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 mm with lengths of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 mm. It is designed to pass over a 0.035 in guidewire through its guidewire lumen. The balloon can also be passed through a minimum 5.0 mm working channel bronchoscope. The diameters of the sinus balloon catheters are 2.0, 3.0, 3.0, 4.0 mm and 10 mm with lengths of 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, and 30 mm.

The paclitaxel or rapamycin and their analogues can be used for treatments of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic sinusitis. A method of treating respiratory disorders comprises administrating an anti-proliferate and anti-inflammatory effective amount of rapamycin, or paclitaxel or their analogues to said mammal orally, parenterally, intravascularly, intranasally, intrabronchially, transdermally, rectally, or via an impregnated vascular stent or balloon catheters.

The paclitaxel or rapamycin and their analogues can be used in combinations with inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled atrovent, inhaled leukotriene inhibitors, inhaled epinephrine, long acting & selective beta agonists for treatments of asthma and COPD. A method of treating asthma and COPD in the lung comprises administrating an anti-proliferate and anti-inflammatory effective amount of rapamycin, or paclitaxel or their analogues in combinations with inhaled corticosteroids, inhaled atrovent, inhaled leukotriene inhibitors, inhaled epinephrine, long acting & selective beta agonists to said mammal orally, parenterally, intravascularly, intranasally, intrabronchially, transdermally, rectally, or via an impregnated vascular stent or balloon catheters.

Embodiments of the present invention also pertain to a method for treating the disease state, especially nasal and sinus dysplasia in mammals caused by mammalian nasal and sinus cells involved in the inflammatory response and compositions useful in the method. The method for treating the disease state in mammals caused by mammalian nasal and sinus cells involved in the inflammatory response comprises: contacting the mammalian nasal and sinus cells participating in the inflammatory response with the anti-proliferate and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Embodiments of the present invention also pertain to compositions for reducing and treating the disease state in mammals caused by undesired inflammatory response of nasal and sinus cells comprising an anti-proliferate and anti-inflammatory drug a carrier, and an additive composition, wherein the drugs are paclitaxel, rapamycin and their analogues.

In a preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compositions are administered by nasal inhalation. In another preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compositions are administered by nose drops. The therapeutic compositions may be first nebulized by any suitable means. The therapeutic compositions may be in liquid or solid form with liquid droplets or particle size being small enough to facilitate access to nasal and sinus tissue by inhalation or nose drops.

In one embodiment, the ratio by weight of the additive to the therapeutic agent in the layer is from about 0.05 to 100, for example, from about 0.1 to 5, from 0.5 to 2, and further for example, from about 0.8 to 1.2.

Although various embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and are within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. 

1. A method for treating at least one of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic sinusitis in a mammal comprising: administering a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a drug and an additive to said mammal orally, parenterally, intravascularly, intranasally, intrabronchially, transdermally, rectally, or via an impregnated vascular stent or balloon catheter into a body passage, wherein said drug is chosen from rapamycin and analogues thereof and paclitaxel and analogues thereof.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said administering comprises delivery via a mist route selected from the group consisting of aerosol inhalation, dry powder inhalation, liquid inhalation, and liquid instillation.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the mist is produced by either a nebulizer, a hand-held meter dose inhaler (MDI), or dry powder (DPI) inhaler.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to be treated is selected from the group consisting of chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial fibrosis, nasal and sinus dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neoplasia, and emphysema.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the body passage of the respiratory and sinus system.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG fatty esters and alcohols, glycerol fatty esters, sorbitan fatty esters, PEG glyceryl fatty esters, PEG sorbitan fatty esters, sugar fatty esters, PEG sugar esters, vitamins and derivatives, aminoacids, multiaminoacids and derivatives, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, quaternary ammonium salts, organic acids, salts and anhydrides.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive is chosen from p-isononylphenoxypolyglycidol, PEG laurate, PEG oleate, PEG stearate, PEG glyceryl laurate, PEG glyceryl oleate, PEG glyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, plyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, PEG sorbitan monolaurate, PEG sorbitan monolaurate, PEG sorbitan monooleate, PEG sorbitan stearate, PEG oleyl ether, PEG laurayl ether, octoxynol, monoxynol, tyloxapol; cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine (Aminoacids); acetic anhydride, benzoic anhydride, ascorbic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic and anhydride, succinic anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid (organic acids and anhydrides); cetotiamine; cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U (vitamins); albumin, immunoglobulins, caseins, hemoglobins, lysozymes, immunoglobins, a-2-macroglobulin, fibronectins, vitronectins, firbinogens, lipases, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, docecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium docecylsulfates, dialkyl methylbenzyl ammonium chloride, and dialkylesters of sodium sulfonsuccinic acid.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive is a surfactant.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the surfactant is an ionic surfactant.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the ionic surfactant is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, docecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium docecylsulfates, dialkyl methylbenzyl ammonium chloride, edrophonium chloride, domiphen bromide, dialkylesters of sodium sulfonsuccinic acid, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium cholate, and sodium taurocholate.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterols and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from esters of lauric acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 oleate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-9 oleate, PEG-10 laurate, PEG-10 oleate, PEG-12 laurate, PEG-12 oleate, PEG-15 oleate, PEG-20 laurate, and PEG-20 oleate.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 dilaurate, PEG-20 dioleate, PEG-20 distearate, PEG-32 dilaurate and PEG-32 dioleate.
 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 glyceryl laurate, PEG-30 glyceryl laurate, PEG-40 glyceryl laurate, PEG-20 glyceryl oleate, and PEG-30 glyceryl oleate.
 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-35 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-25 trioleate, PEG-60 corn glycerides, PEG-60 almond oil, PEG-40 palm kernel oil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides, and PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-9 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 corn oil, PEG-6 almond oil, PEG-6 apricot kernel oil, PEG-6 olive oil, PEG-6 peanut oil, PEG-6 hydrogenated palm kernel oil, PEG-6 palm kernel oil, PEG-6 triolein, PEG-8 corn oil, PEG-20 corn glycerides, and PEG-20 almond glycerides.
 19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from polyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl-2 dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 trioleate, polyglyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, and polyglyceryl linoleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 mono, dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 linoleate, polyglyceryl-6 stearate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 myristate, polyglyceryl-6 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-6 linoleate, and polyglyceryl polyricinoleate.
 20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol ricinoleate, propylene glycol monooleate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, and propylene glycol dioctanoate.
 21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is PEG-24 cholesterol ether.
 22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from sterol polyethylene glycol derivatives.
 23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate, PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate, and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate.
 24. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-3 oleyl ether and PEG-4 lauryl ether.
 25. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monolaurate, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-decyl-β-D-maltopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-heptyl-β-D-glucop-yranoside, n-heptyl-β-D-thioglucoside, n-hexyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-noyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and octyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside.
 26. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-10-100 nonyl phenol, PEG-15-100 octyl phenol ether, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, and nonoxynol.
 27. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from poloxamer 108, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 217, poloxamer 238, poloxamer 288, poloxamer 338, and poloxamer
 407. 28. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from poloxamer 124, poloxamer 182, poloxamer 183, poloxamer 212, poloxamer 331, and poloxamer
 335. 29. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan monostearate.
 30. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, ergosterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecal-ciferol, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, vitamin A, fursultiamine, methylolriboflavin, octotiamine, prosultiamine, riboflavine, vintiamol, dihydrovitamin K1, menadiol diacetate, menadiol dibutyrate, menadiol disulfate, menadiol, vitamin K1, vitamin K1 oxide, vitamins K2, and vitamin K—S(II), and folic acid.
 31. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from_ acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid, cetotiamine, cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U.
 32. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from alanine, arginine, asparagines, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, and salts of any of the foregoing.
 33. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is albumin.
 34. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octoxynol-9, Polysorbates, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic anhydride, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.
 35. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from riboflavin, riboflavin-phosphate sodium, Vitamin D3, folic acid, vitamin 12, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine.
 36. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-10 stearate.
 37. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic acids, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.
 38. The method according to claim 14, wherein the additive is chosen from Vitamin D2 and D3.
 39. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation further comprises an additional drug.
 40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the additional drug is selected from the group consisting of corticosteroids, anticholinergics, beta-agonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, macrolide antibiotics, bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor inhibitors, cromolyn sulfate, and combinations thereof.
 41. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of a drug for treatment of a respiratory or sinus system, and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system.
 42. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 43. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 44. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 45. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the formulation is an aqueous aerosol formulation, a dry powder aerosol formulation, or a propellant-based formulation.
 46. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.
 47. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the drug is present in a concentration of about 0.05 mg/ml to about 600 mg/ml.
 48. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the additive is chosen from from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 49. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from esters of lauric acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-8 oleate, PEG-8 stearate, PEG-9 oleate, PEG-10 laurate, PEG-10 oleate, PEG-12 laurate, PEG-12 oleate, PEG-15 oleate, PEG-20 laurate, and PEG-20 oleate.
 50. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 dilaurate, PEG-20 dioleate, PEG-20 distearate, PEG-32 dilaurate and PEG-32 dioleate.
 51. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 glyceryl laurate, PEG-30 glyceryl laurate, PEG-40 glyceryl laurate, PEG-20 glyceryl oleate, and PEG-30 glyceryl oleate.
 52. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-35 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-25 trioleate, PEG-60 corn glycerides, PEG-60 almond oil, PEG-40 palm kernel oil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-8 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, PEG-5 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-9 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-6 corn oil, PEG-6 almond oil, PEG-6 apricot kernel oil, PEG-6 olive oil, PEG-6 peanut oil, PEG-6 hydrogenated palm kernel oil, PEG-6 palm kernel oil, PEG-6 triolein, PEG-8 corn oil, PEG-20 corn glycerides, and PEG-20 almond glycerides.
 53. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from polyglyceryl oleate, polyglyceryl-2 dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 trioleate, polyglyceryl stearate, polyglyceryl laurate, polyglyceryl myristate, polyglyceryl palmitate, and polyglyceryl linoleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 mono, dioleate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 myristate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 linoleate, polyglyceryl-6 stearate, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, polyglyceryl-6 myristate, polyglyceryl-6 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-6 linoleate, and polyglyceryl polyricinoleate.
 54. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene glycol ricinoleate, propylene glycol monooleate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, and propylene glycol dioctanoate.
 55. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is PEG-24 cholesterol ether.
 56. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from sterol polyethylene glycol derivatives.
 57. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate, PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate, and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate.
 58. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from_ PEG-3 oleyl ether and PEG-4 lauryl ether.
 59. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from sucrose monopalmitate, sucrose monolaurate, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-decyl-β-D-maltopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside, heptanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-heptyl-β-D-glucop-yranoside, n-heptyl-β-D-thioglucoside, n-hexyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, nonanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-noyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and octyl-β-D-thioglucopyranoside.
 60. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-10-100 nonyl phenol, PEG-15-100 octyl phenol ether, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, and nonoxynol.
 61. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from poloxamer 108, poloxamer 188, poloxamer 217, poloxamer 238, poloxamer 288, poloxamer 338, and poloxamer
 407. 62. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from poloxamer 124, poloxamer 182, poloxamer 183, poloxamer 212, poloxamer 331, and poloxamer
 335. 63. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan monostearate.
 64. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, ergosterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecal-ciferol, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, vitamin A, fursultiamine, methyloiriboflavin, octotiamine, prosultiamine, riboflavine, vintiamol, dihydrovitamin K1, menadiol diacetate, menadiol dibutyrate, menadiol disulfate, menadiol, vitamin K1, vitamin K1 oxide, vitamins K2, and vitamin K—S(II), and folic acid.
 65. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from acetiamine, benfotiamine, pantothenic acid, cetotiamine, cyclothiamine, dexpanthenol, niacinamide, nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, nicotinamide ascorbate, riboflavin, riboflavin phosphate, thiamine, folic acid, menadiol diphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadoxime, vitamin B12, vitamin K5, vitamin K6, vitamin K6, and vitamin U.
 66. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from alanine, arginine, asparagines, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, proline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, and salts of any of the foregoing.
 67. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is albumin.
 68. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from benzalkonium chloride, n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, octoxynol-9, Polysorbates, Tyloxapol, octoxynol, nonoxynol, isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 stearate, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic anhydride, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.
 69. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from riboflavin, riboflavin-phosphate sodium, Vitamin D3, folic acid, vitamin 12, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid dianhydride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride, maleic acid and anhydride, succinic acid and anhydride, diglycolic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, cystine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and methionine.
 70. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from isononylphenylpolyglycidol, PEG glyceryl monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monostearate, polyglyceryl-10 oleate, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, polyglyceryl-10 palmitate, and polyglyceryl-10 stearate.
 71. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from L-ascorbic acid, thiamine, maleic acids, niacinamide, and 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid.
 72. The formulation according to claim 48, wherein the additive is chosen from Vitamin D2 and D3.
 73. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the drug is present in a concentration of about 0.05 mg/g to about 990 mg/g.
 74. The formulation according to claim 41, wherein the formulation further comprises an additional drug.
 75. The formulation according to claim 74, wherein the additional drug is selected from the group consisting of corticosteroids, anticholinergics, beta-agonists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, macrolide antibiotics, bronchodilators, leukotriene receptor inhibitors, cromolyn sulfate, and combinations thereof.
 76. A method for treating a respiratory system in a mammal comprising: (1) forming an aerosol of a dispersion of particles, wherein the particles comprise a water insoluble drug and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system; and (2) administering the aerosol to the respiratory system of the mammal.
 77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 78. The method according to claim 76, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 79. The method according to claim 76, wherein the dispersion does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 80. The method according to claim 76, wherein the dispersion does not include a purely hydrophobic additive.
 81. The method according to claim 76, wherein the dispersion does not include a dye.
 82. The method according to claim 76, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 83. The method according to claim 76, wherein the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.
 84. An aerosol device for delivering a drug to a respiratory system, the device comprising a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a water insoluble drug and an additive, wherein the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system.
 85. The device according to claim 84, wherein the pharmaceutical formulation is an aqeuous, propellant based, or dry powder formulation.
 86. The device according to claim 84, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 87. The device according to claim 84, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 88. The device according to claim 84, wherein the formulation does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 89. The device according to claim 84, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 90. The device according to claim 84, wherein the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.
 91. The device according to claim 84, wherein the aerosol device is one of a nebulizer, a hand-held meter dose inhaler, or a dry powder inhaler.
 92. A device sized and configured for insertion into a passage of a respiratory system, the device comprising a layer overlying an exterior surface of the device, the layer comprising a water insoluble drug for the treatment of the respiratory system and an additive that enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory system.
 93. The device according to claim 92, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 94. The device according to claim 92, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 95. The device according to claim 92, wherein the layer does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 96. The device according to claim 92, wherein the layer does not include a purely hydrophobic additive.
 97. The device according to claim 92, wherein the layer does not include a dye.
 98. The device according to claim 92, wherein the device is a balloon catheter or a stent.
 99. The device according to claim 92, wherein the water insoluble drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.
 100. The device according to claim 92, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 101. A method for treating a respiratory system comprising: inserting a balloon catheter comprising a coating layer into an airway, wherein the coating layer comprises a drug and an additive; inflating the balloon catheter and releasing the drug to a wall of the airway; deflating the balloon; and withdrawing the balloon catheter from the airway.
 102. The method according to claim 101, wherein the additive enhances absorption of the drug into tissue of the respiratory or sinus system.
 103. The method according to claim 101, wherein the additive comprises a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
 104. The method according to claim 101, wherein the drug is not enclosed in micelles or encapsulated in polymer particles.
 105. The method according to claim 101, wherein the cocating layer does not include oil, a lipid, or a polymer.
 106. The method according to claim 101, wherein the coating layer does not include a purely hydrophobic additive.
 107. The method according to claim 101, wherein the coating layer does not include a dye.
 108. The method according to claim 101, wherein the drug is chosen from paclitaxel and analogues thereof and rapamycin and analogues thereof.
 109. The method according to claim 101, wherein the additive is chosen from PEG-fatty acids and PEG-fatty acid mono and diesters, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglyceryl fatty acids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, sterol and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugars and derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol alkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, fat-soluble vitamins and salts thereof, water-soluble vitamins and amphiphilic derivatives thereof, amino acid and salts thereof, oligopeptides, peptides and proteins, and organic acids and esters and anhydrides thereof.
 110. The method according to claim 101, wherein the drug can be released to the wall of the airway prior to, during, or after an asthma attack. 